Increment size adjustment means



Jun 13. 1967 s. P. RUBINSTEIN ETAL 3,

INCREMENT S I ZE ADJUS TMENT MEANS Original Filed Nov. 7, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 1 Ia 2 h rr 7 I26 ,0 g

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INVENTORS. H1422 Y 57:4,?

ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,324,751 INCREMENT SIZE ADJUSTMENT MEANS Sidney P. Rubinstein and Harry Star, Franklin Park, N.J.,

assignors, by direct and mense assignments, to Cutler- Harnmer, Inc., Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Delaware Continuation of application Ser. No. 67,792, Nov. 7, 1960. This application Mar. 9, 1965, Ser. No. 448,224 (Filed under Rule 47(a) and 35 U.S.C. 116) 5 Claims. (Cl. 83-73) This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 67,792, filed Nov. 7, 1960, now abandoned.

This invention relates to a motor control means for an increment size adjustment. While this invention may be used as a control means in many diiferent types of devices, it is illustrated in this specification in connection with a cut-off machine such as the one described in United States Patent No. 2,059,412, granted on application of George W. Swift, Jr.

The machine of Swift may be used for cutting up a web of advancing material into blanks or units of selected lengths. In the manufacture of corrugated paper board and fibre board, for example, such a cut-off machine is used at the delivery end of the machine, or corrugator, which makes the paper board. The paper board leaves the corrugator as a web. The cut-off machine receives the traveling web and cuts it into blanks of a predetermined desired length.

The Swift type of machine has rotary type cutters through which the web travels. The relative speed of the rollers on which the cutters or knives are mounted to the speed of the web advance drive determines the length of the cut unit or blank.

The change of relation of the speed of the main drive for the web and the rotation of the knife rollers to vary the length of the blank, is cont-rolled by a variable speed transmission. Any type of variable speed transmission may be used. An example of such a transmission is the reeves, or variable speed cone, drive which is disclosed in British Patent No. 412,127. The British patent also shows a cut-off machine similar to the one shown in the United States Patent No. 2,059,412 except that it has provision for receiving and feeding longitudinal portions of a split traveling web into two or more pairs of revolving cutters, so that two or more cutting and sizing operations may be carried on at the same time.

The usual type of cut-off machine in popular use has two sets of cutters, each with its own variable transmission adjusting control means. This type of machinery is well known in the prior art and is illustrated by the part schematic part flow chart view of FIG. 1 of the drawings.

The box labeled CORRUGATOR represents the usual type of corrugating machinery. A length of cardboard leaves the corrugator as a continuous strip or web. The web may be as wide as the width capacity of the corrugator; let us say for example it is 72 inches wide. The web 10 is then fed horizontally past a vertically disposed knife or cutting means depicted in box labeled SLITTER. The slitter or slitting knife may be adjusted along any part of the width of the cardboard web to provide for two longitudinal strips of cardboard of complementary widths adding up to the 72 inches of the width of the original web. For example, the slitting means may be adjusted so that one strip of cardboard will be 24 inches wide and the other strip will be 48 inches wide. These two webs which are identified at 10a and 1012 are then fed over rollers R into the Swift machine 11, and cut into units or blanks 12a and 12b, respectively.

One strip of cardboard such as 10a is cut by the top knife 13 into blanks 12a and the other strip, or web, such as 10b is cut by the bottom knife 14 into blanks 12b. By setting up the corrugator and the cut-off machine 11 in this manner, cardboard blanks 12a and 12b may be made of various sizes. For example, web 10a (24 inch width) may be cut into blanks 60 inches long. The resulting sheet 12a would then be 24 inches wide by 60 inches long. The other web 1017 (48 inches wide) could be cut into sheets 48 inches long. The resulting sheet would therefore be 48 inches square. These sizes are given merely by way of example. The machinery can be adjusted for any size blanks within the capacity of the corrugator and the cut-off machine.

The blank length size adjustment is made, as explained in either the United States or British patents mentioned hereinabove, by means of a variable speed transmission. The variable speed transmission, which may be of any type, is designated by box with initials VST and by reference numerals 15a for the top knife 13, and by reference numerals 15b for the bottom knife 14. The variable speed transmissions 15a and 15b are adjusted for increasing or decreasing the length by an adjustment controlling motor designated by reference numerals 16a for variable speed transmission 15a, and 16b for variable speed transmission 15b. Thus, the speed of roller 17 on which top knife 13 is mounted is controlled through variable speed transmission 15a and adjustment control motor and rotary roller 18 on which bottom knife 14 is mounted, is in turn controlled by variable speed transmission motor 15b and adjustment control motor 161;. The ope-ration of variable sped transmission and control motors are fully described in the above mentioned United States Patent No. 2,059,412 and is otherwise well known in the art and need not be set forth at length herein. Briefly, rotation of adjustment control motor such as 16a or 16b in one direction will result in increasing the unit or 'blank length of bank unit and reversing adjustment control motor 15a or b will result in decreasing the respective blank lengths.

The procedure of adjusting each knife 13 and 14 of the cut-off machine 11 requires the operator to set the initial speeds or ratios for the variable speed transmissions 15a and 15b for the desired length of blanks 12a and 12b, and then start running the web of cardboard through the cut-01f machine 11. The blanks 12a and 121) would then be measured manually. If they were not the exact size desired the operator would then start and stop the reversible adjustment control motor 16a or 1612 until, by hit or miss methods, a sheet of the proper size was cut. For example, if it was desired to have a sheet such as sheet 12:: (48 inches wide and 60 inches long) the first cut-off machine would be set by the operator for a 60 inch length. Due to the nature of the machine, the initial setting is usually off within limits of approximately one inch. If the blank was 59 inches long the operator would have to guess how long to run the adjustment control motor in the proper direction to lengthen the blank exactly one inch. The second try might produce a blank 61 inches long; the third try 59 /2 inches long and perhaps by the fourth or fifth try, a blank of the desired length of 60 inches would be produced. In the meantime, since the adjustment is made as the cut-off machine is running, ten or twenty or more blanks of valuable cardboard would have been wasted in the effort, as well as the time of the operator and the cost of wear and tear of running the machine.

It is therefore an object of our invention to provide an increment step control means for the adjustment control motor which will provide a certain predetermined length adjustment.

It is a further object of our invention to provide such (J a control device which can be adapted to all types of machines requiring a linear adjustment.

It is also an object of our invention to provide our control device in a form which can be used as an adapter in existing machine installations as well as a component of original equipment.

For example, one of the advantages of our invention is that the increment step control means provides a predetermined increase or decrease length adjustment. We have found that an increase or decrease length adjustment in Vs inch steps is preferable. Cur invention comprises an increase length switch and a decrease length switch. \Vhen the operator taps the increase length switch, the control motor either 16a or 161) will be automatically run for the required amount of time to adjust the mechanism to cut sheets /8 of an inch longer. This takes the guesswork out of the adjustment procedure. The required amount of time to run the control motor 151: or 15b is measured by the timing circuit of our invention. Thus, each tap on a switch button will change length by an increment of plus or minus /8 of an inch, as desired. If the blanks are coming through /2 an inch too long, the operator taps the decrease length switch four times, reducing the length by four steps of A; of an inch. The resulting blank will then be the proper length. It is a further object of our invention to provide a completely automatic adjustment control means which may be set for a given desired length of blank and which will then automatically adjust the machine for the proper length.

We achieve these objects and advantages with the forms of our invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 which has already been referred to above, is a partial schematic and partial flow sheet, showing the prior art device which is improved by our invention;

FIGURE 2 is a wiring diagram of one form of our control device;

FIGURE 3 is a wiring diagram for remote control switches which may be used in connection with our device;

FIGURE 4 is a wiring diagram showing how the relay switches KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4, and KS5, are connected to the adjustment control motors 15a and 15b;

FIGURE 5 is an elevation of the front of the control panel of the form of invention illustrated in the wiring diagram in FIG. 1; and

FIGURE 6 is a flow chart showing another form of our invention in which the increment control means is adjusted automatically.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring now then to the drawings, our device is adapted to run on the usual 115 volts 60 cycle alternating current power supply. However, it may run on any power supply available, provided changes well known to the art are made to compensate for the difference in power supply.

An appropriate connection is made from one side of the AC power supply to line 2%. There is a /2 amp fuse 19 to protect the circuit. The other side of the AC power supply is connected to line 21, and there is a main on-ofi switch 22. There is also a switch 62 which is associated with a device on the main drive of the cut-off machine 11. This switch 52 will remain in normally open position until the main drive of the machine 11 reaches operating speed, then switch 62 will close. This acts as a safety feature and prevents the circuit from operating unless the main drive of the cut-off machine 11 is within normal limits.

We provide an Increase Length switch 23 and a Decrease Length Switch 24. These are the usual four contact switches in which the pole or contactor of the switch is spring urged against two of the contacts and may be operated by a pushbutton to touch the other two contacts so long as there is finger pressure on the button. Contacts A and B on each switch 23 and 24 are touched by the 4 spring urged contactor and contacts C and D are disconnected when the switches are in normally open position. A conductor 25 connects one side of power supply line 20 to switch contact 23C and to switch contact 24C. Switch contact 23D is in turn connected by conductor 26 to a re lay coil KC1 and a conductor 27 runs from relay coil KC1 to switch contact 24B. Line 28 connects switch contact 24A to the other side of the power supply at line 21.

A conductor 29 connects power supply line 21 to switch contact 23A. Switch contact 23B is connected by a line 30 to one side of relay coil KC2. The other side of relay coil KCZ is connected by line 31 to switch contact 24D. Switch 23 has a spring urged contactor 32 which serves as a conductor between contacts 23A and 23B when the switch 23 is in normally open position. The contactor 33 of switch 24 acts as a conductor between points A and B of switch 24 in normally open position, and is operated by a siwtch button 33a.

The invention is illustrated herein for use with a cutoff machine 11 which has two operating knives, a top knife 13 and a bottom knife 14. Circuit components are provided for selecting a top knife control motor 16a, and a bottom knife control motor 16b, respectively. These components comprise relay coils KC3 and KC4 and are connected in the following manner: Line 20 is connected through conductor 20a to a switch 34 which energizes a circuit for either the top knife control motor 16a or the bottom knife control motor 1617. Switch 34, is a single pole center off switch and the pole 34a may be contacted with either contact 35 or contact 36.

When pole 34a touches contact 35, the switch 34 is in top knife circuit position. Contact 35 is connected by means of a conductor 37 to relay coil KC3 which is then connected by means of a wire 38 to the other side of the power supply 21. When pole 34a is thrown to touch contact 36 the switch 34 is in bottom knife position. Contact 36 is connected by means of wire 39 to relay coil KC4 'which is in turn connected by conductor 40 to power line 21.

For the sake of clarity, we have labeled the KC3 portion of the circuit Top and the K04 portion of the circuit Bottom as these portions of the circuit are associated with the top knife 13 and the bottom knife 14 of the cut-off machine 11, respectively.

There is a line voltage indicator, such as a neon tube 50, to show whether or not the circuit is energized, and each of the relay coils KC3 and KC4 have signal lights 51a and 5115, connected in parallel to the respective coil, to show whether the top knife or the bottom knife portion of the circuit is energized.

The timing portion of the device comprises a primary 52, of a 24 volt 1 amp. transformer 53, connected to the main power lines 20 and 21 by means of conductors 54 and 55. The secondary 56 of the transformer 53 has an output voltage of 24 volts AC and is used as the power supply for the timing circuit. We provide a resistor 57 (27 ohms) to minimize the initial power surge when this portion of the circuit is energized.

This portion of the circuit requires direct current and the 24 volt AC current is rectified by means of a rectifier system which will provide a consistent DC current of 20 volts. We prefer to use the bridge rectifier system shown and designated by reference numeral 58. We place a capacitor 59 (500 rnicrofarads) across the line to reduce ripple and we provide a 20 volt zener diode 60, and a resistor 61 ohms) to maintain the voltage constant at 20 volts DC during the time that the circuit is closed, and to compensate for line voltage fluctuations. A conductor 63 runs from the junction point between diode 6i) and resistor 61, relay contacts KSlA, and KSZA. The relay contacts KS1, A and B, and KS2, A and B, are associated with relay coils KC1 and KC2, and respectively function together therewith. However, for purposes of clarity, these elements are shown separately in the circuit diagrams of the drawings. Relay contacts KSlB and KSZB, are connected through a junction point to a line 64 which in turn is connected through a junction point to relay contacts KS3A and KS4A. Here again, relay contacts KS3, A and B, and KS4, A and B are associated with relay coils KC3 and KC4, respectively, and are shown separately for reasons of clarity.

Relay contact KSSB, is connected to top knife size range switch 65 and relay switch KS4B, is connected to bottom knife size range switch 66. Both switches 65 and 66 have arms 67a and 67b and each have points 68a to e and 68 to j, so that each switch arm 67a or 67b can be placed on any one of five different contacting positions. We illustrate five positions for switches 65 and 66. However, there may be more or less than five to suit different installations. The different ranges are provided because blanks 12a and 12b, cut by the cut-off machine 11 will usually range in size from less than inches to more than 130 inches. We therefore provide for different adjustable component values within the circuit to compensate for different ranges of size. This will be explained in the section concerning the operation of the device hereinbelow.

In order to provide for these different values we use the five position size range switches and 66 for the top knife and bottom knife, respectively. Similar contacts 68a to e of switch 65 and 68 to j of switch 66, are tied together by means of lines 69, 70, 71, 72 and 73. Each of the mentioned lines 69 to 73, inclusive, is connected to a potentiometer 74 to 78 inclusive (20K. each), respectively, each of which in turn is connected to a conductor 79.

At this point of circuit, we have placed a speed switch 80 in parallel with a potentiometer 81 (5K) The purpose of the speed switch 80 and 5K. potentiometer 81 is for adjusting the circuit for different speed ranges of the main drive of the cutoff machine 11. There are normally two speed ranges, 350 feet per minute and 250 feet per minute. The entire circuit can be adjusted to one of the speed ranges with the potentiometer 81 shorted out by closing switch 80. Then switch 80 can be thrown to Open position, placing potentiometer 81 within the circuit and it can then be used to adjust the circuit to the other speed range. Potentiometer 81 and switch 80 are then connected by means of a line 82 to range potentiometer 83 (SK.) which in turn is connected by a line 84 to a resistor 85 (8.2K). The range potentiometer 83 has no electronic significance over and above the potentiometers 74 through 78, inclusive. However, it is desirable to have it in the circuit for better initial adjustment and for subsequent adjustment in case any characteristics of the circuit may change. Such adjustments can be made with the single range potentiometer 83 rather than by adjusting all five of the potentiometers 74 through 78 inclusive.

The resistor 85 is connected to a junction point 86. Junction point 86 is connected to capacitor 87 (22 microfarads) by means of conductor 88, and then by means of conductor 89 to junction point 90. Junction point 90 is grounded to ground 91. A line 92 connects junction point 86 to transistor Q1 (2Nl372). A conductor 93 connects transistor Q1 through resistor 94 (150 ohms) and through line 95 to junction point 90. Junction point 90 is connected to a resistor 96 (47 ohms), by means of a line 97 and resistor 96 is then connected to a transistor Q2 (2N1372) by means of a line 98.

Transistor Q1 is connected to junction point 100, which in turn is connected by a conductor 101 to a resistor 102 (5.6K.) which is then connected by means of a line 103 to transistor Q2. Resistor 104 (1.8K.) is connected from a line 103 to line 97 by means of conductors 105 and 106. Transistor Q2 is connected to a relay coil KC5 by means of a conductor 107 and relay coil KC5 is then connected to a junction point 108 by means of a conductor 109. Junction point 108 is in turn connected by means of a conductor 110 to relay contacts KSlB, and KS2B. An inductive voltage suppression diode 111 is placed in paral- 6 lel with relay coil KC5 by means of lines 112 and 113. Junction point 108 is connected to conductor 114, which is connected to resistor 115 (910 ohms), then to conductor 116 and then to junction point 100. The bridge rectifier 58 is grounded at point 117.

Operation A cut-off machine 11, with two operating knives will have an increase length and decrease length switch for each knife. Our device is designed to be connected to increase 155 and 156 and decrease 157 and 158 length switches (see FIG. 4) of the cut-off machine 11. By this means our timing circuit will energize the proper control motor 16a or 16b of the cut-off machine 11 for the amount of time to either increase or decrease the blank length by /8 of an inch. While we prefer to use a /s inch step, this is by choice. Any other uniform predetermined step size may be used. The various parameters and values of the circuits described above, such as the values of the potentiometers and the other components, have been selected to provide a timing circuit which will energize the adjustment control motors 16:: or 16b a sufiicient time for each tap on switch 23 or 24 to vary the resulting length of the blanks /8 of an inch. The nature of variable speed drives 15a and 15b is such that when the blank size is set for 40 inches or less, more revolutions per minute of an adjustment motor 16 will be required to change the blank size /s of an inch than when the blank size is set for over inches. In other words, the ratio of the knife roller speed to the main web drive progresses along a curve with gradual increase in slope, rather than a straight line ratio. We have found therefore, that by breaking up the circuit into five ranges for the different lengths required, we can provide a device in which a tap on switch 23 (button 32a) or 24 (button 33a) will change the length of the blank of an inch, whether the blank is under 40 inches or over 130 inches.

The potentiometers 74 through 78, inclusive, at each of the five respective positions are adjusted for the particular range, such as 040 inches, 4070 inches, 70l00 inches, 100130' inches and over 130 inches. The desired range can then be selected by either top or bottom knife range switch knobs or 151, respectively. The values given hereinabove are preferred, however, other values may be used within the limits dictated by the circuit.

The timing circuit works as follows: The 20 volts direct current is supplied as described hereinabove. This current fiows through either KS1 or KS2 as selected, or through either KS3 or KS4 as selected. This will be described in the section on size increase, decrease and knife selection hereinbelow. The current then flows through one of the potentiometers 74 through 78 inclusive (depending on range selected) and then through the speed range switch 80 to potentiometer 83. If speed range switch 80 is in open position the current will also flow through potentiometer 81. It is by means of these potentiometers that the timing circuit is adjusted.

The 20 volts DC current flows through the balance of the circuit which comprises the capacitor 87, the transistors Q1 and Q2, and the relay coil KC5. The current will flow until the capacitor 87 becomes charged and during the time it takes the capacitor 87 to become charged, the relay coil KC5 which is a 24 volt DC relay will be energized during which time relay contacts KS5 will be in closed position. By adjusting potentiometers 74 to 78 inclusive, 81 and 83 to the proper resistance values, it is possible to vary the rate of charge of capacitor 87. This is done at the factory or when the invention is installed on the cut-off machine. Each of the mentioned components of the circuit is adjusted so that relay coil KC5 will remain energized long enough (for each tap on button 32a or 33a) to keep contacts KS5 in closed position for the proper amount of time necessary to energize the electric adjustment motor 16a or 16b to increase or decrease the blank size Ms of an inch.

Size, increase, decrease and knife selection circuit FIG. 4 of the drawings shows how the various relay contacts KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4 and KS are connected to the increase 155 and 156 and decrease 157 and 158 switches for the adjusting motors 16a and 16b of cut-off machine 11. This arrangement is such that when the top knife control motor 16a is to be energized, relay contact contact KS3 must be closed in the circuit and when the bottom knife control drive motor 16b of the device is to be energized, relay switch KS4 must be closed.

First the top knife motor 16a or bottom knife motor 161) is selected by means of selector switch 34, when arm 34a of switch 34 is thrown to contact point 35 then KC3 is energized lighting up its light 51a and closing relay contacts KS3. This will cooperate to close the circuit with reference to the top knife motor 16a. If switch 34 is thrown in the opposite direction to contact contact point 36, then coil K04 Will be energized and its light 5117 will light up and relay contacts KS4 will be closed to cooperate in closing the circuit to the bottom knife adjustment motor 16b.

If the signal is to be given to increase length, then relay contact KS1 must be closed and to decrease length, relay contact KS2 must be closed.

When switch 23 is closed by tapping button 32a, the circuit comprising line 20, line 25, contacts C and D of switch 23, switch arm 32, conductor 26, relay coil KC1, conductor 27, switch arm 33, line 28 and power line 21 is energized. Thus 115 volt AC current is caused to flow through relay coil KCl and to close relay contact KS1. Thus, when switch 23 is closed, all of the relay coil contacts concerned with increase length will be closed. For example, KS1 will be closed, KS3 or KS4 (depending on Whether top or bottom knife is selected) will be closed, and KS5 will be closed until capacitor 87 is completely charged. This will cause the appropriate motor to run a proper time to increase length /s of an inch.

In order to decrease length, switch 24 is tapped by means of button 33a. This closes the circuit between line 20, line 25, contact C of switch 24, contact D of switch 24, line 31, relay KC2, line 30, switch arm 32, line 29, and power line 21. Thus when the switch 24 is tapped, relay contacts KS2 will be closed together with KS5 and KS3 or KS4. This will cause the appropriate motor to operate decrease length /8 of an inch.

The swtich buttons 32a and 33a should be pressed approximately one second, at least, to permit the timing circuit to run its course. A momentary tap would not serve to energize the control motors for a sufficient amount of time. Advantage may be taken of this to change the size less than /s inch if desired.

The hook-11p of switches 23 and 24 prevents both switches being tapped simultaneously. It will be appreciated that when arm 32 of switch 23 is tapped it breaks the contact between points A and B of switch 23 and thus opens the circuit which is made by tapping switch 24. This switch arrangement operates the same way in that tapping switch arm 33 of switch 24 opens the circuit for switch 23. This is a safety feature.

Relay contacts KS1, KS2, KS3, K54 and KS5 which are associated with relay coils KC1, KC2, KC3, KC4 and KCS, respectively, may have two or more sets of contacts Which are operated simultaneously when their respective relay coils are energized. Thus, where the relay contacts, such as KS1, KS2, KS3 and KS4 are shown in FIG. 2 as part of the timing circuit, it is understood that one of the said sets of contacts associated with each relay is used; and when the said relay contacts are shown in FIG. 4 as part of the motor control circuit, then it is understood that another of said sets of contacts is used. As a result, energizing a relay coil shown as having contacts in both the timing and motor control circuits will simultaneously close the normally open contacts in both circuits.

An advantage of our invention is the fact that the relay contacts are in normally open position and that no current flows in the timing circuit unless a signal is given to increase or decrease length. This indicates longer life and less likelihood of trouble developing in the circuit than if it were constantly energized. The 20 volts DC current flows in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 2. Grounds 91 and 117 complete the circuit.

In FIG. 4 of the drawings, we show how contacts of relays KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4 and KS5 are connected into the motor control circuit to short the regular control motor starting switches 155, 156, 157, 158 of the cut-off machine 11. Each of these switches is shown as having a contactor arm a, 156a, 157a, 158a, respectively, and a solenoid coil 155b, 1561), 157b, 158b, respectively. Each solenoid has a line 160 drawn to either motor 16a or 1615. This line 166 in each case represents an appropriate means to run the motor only when the solenoid is energized by the line current. The 115 AC. line current is applied to each solenoid by an appropriate connection to the line. It is understood that a switch marked IN- CREASE will close a motor circuit for rotation in one direction and one marked DECREASE will close a motor circuit to rotate in the opposite direction.

Increase relay contact KS1 is connected to timer relay contacts KS5 by conductors 210 and 161; and to IN- CREASE switches 155 and 156 by conductors 162, 163 and 164.

Decrease relay contact KS2 is connected to the timer contact KS5 by conductors 161 and 165; and to DE- CREASE switches 157 and 168 by conductors 166, 167 and 168. Top knife relay contact KS3 is connected to the timer contact KS5 by conductors 169 and 211, and to top knife increase and decrease switches 155 and 157 by means of a conductor 212. Bottom knife contact KS4 is connected to timer relay contact KS5 by conductors 169 and 213 and to bottom knife switches 156 and 158 by a conductor 214. Thus when either KS1 or KS2, and KS3 or KS4 and KS5 are closed one of the switches 155, 156, 157 or 158 will be shorted and a control motor will rotate.

FIG. 4 and explanation thereof is presented only as an example. The control motors may be run by any means known to the art and any appropriate hook-up may be made.

Remote control switches FIG. 3 of the drawings shows two pair of remote control switches which may be set up at different stations and operated away from the main control panel of our device. Each switch is an eight point contact switch. It is not necessary to use the knife selector switch 34 when using the remote switches, since provision is made in each remote switch to select the proper knife circuit as the switch button is pressed. Since each switch is an eight point switch it operates both a knife circuit and a size change circuit at one pressing. This is true regardless of position of the switch 34, since the remote switches take precedence. In FIG. 3, the timing circuit is broken off at transformer secondary 56, however, it is understood that the timing circuit is necessary and is the same as shown in FIG. 1.

Switch 170 is the top remote increase switch. 171 is the top remote decrease switch. 172 and 173 are the bottom remote increase and decrease switches, respectively.

Contact arms, or poles, a and b of each switch 17tl173, inclusive, are ganged together respectively, so that pressure on a button associated with a COIltaCt arm of a switch will throw both arm a and arm b at the same time. Thus when arms a and b of switch 170 are pushed against the spring means which holds them in normally open position, they will touch contacts A and B and C and D, respectively, to close both top knife and increase length circuit at the same time. Referring to FIG. 3, the top knife circuit will be power line 21 conductors and 1531, contact 170A, switch arm 1706!, contact 170B, conductors 182, 183, relay coil KC3, conductor 134, contact 1721 switch arm 172a, contact 172F, conductor 185,

contact 173E, switch arm 173a, contact 1731 conductor 186 and power line 21. The increase circuit will be power line 20, conductors 180, 187, contact 170D, switch arm 170b, contact 170C, conductors 188, 189, 190, relay coil KC2, conductor 191, contact 24B, switch arm 33, contact 24A, conductor 192, contact 171H, switch arm 171b contact 171G, conductor 193, contact 173H, switch arm 173b, contact 173G, conductors 194, 195, and power line 21.

Thus tapping switch 170 energizes the top knife con- ..trol motor 16a for a inch increase in length. The other switches 171, 172 and 173 may be traced through FIG. 3 in the same Way to show-top knife decrease (switch 171), bottom knife increase (switch 172), and bottom knife decrease (switch 173). The hook-up also incorporates the safety features of switches 23 and 24 in that tapping any one increase switch opens the corresponding decrease relay coil and vice versa and prevents increase and decrease from being activated at the same time.

Automatic size adjustment In another form of our invention, we provide an automatic size adjustment feature which may be incorporated into the control device described above or may be used independently in other applications. We refer now to FIG. 6 of the drawings. A web of carboard 10, or similar material is fed in the direction of the arrow and is cut by adjustable cutting means 200. The resulting blank 12 is to be D inches long. Three photoelectric cell systems 201A, 201B and 201C are set up along the line of travel of the blank 12. Each photoelectric cell sends a signal to an appropriate amplifier when the light going to it is interrupted. The signal from the photoelectric system 201C at the leading edge of the blank 12 is also fed into a pulse generator. The objects being cut advance to the right, through the photoelectric cells 201A, 201B and 201C. When the leading edge of the object interrupts the light going to cell 201C, a pulse is generated by means of the amplifier and pulse generator. The leading edge pulse is fed into the Both Off and Both On and gates.

When the leading edge of the object is at the positions of cell 201C, the position of the trailing edge will determine the length of the object. The required length, D, is halfway between cells 201A and 201B. In such a position cell 201B is covered and cell 201A is uncovered. Three conditions can exist; cells 201A and 201B both covered, both uncovered and cell 201C covered and cell 201A uncovered. If cell 201B is covered and cell 201A is uncovered no length change is required thus the length control motor will not operate, If both cells 201A and 201B are covered on on, a decrease in object length is required and conversely, if cell 201A and 201B are both uncovered or off an increase length adjustment is in order.

The status of cells 201A and 201B is simplified and also fed into the Both Off and the Both On and gates together with the leading edge pulse or cell 201C. The gates are arranged such that an output will occur only if both cells 201A and 2013 are both on or both off when the leading edge pulse is generated. An output from the Both On gate will cause a decrease length signal to be fed to the motor length control and an output from the Both Off gate will cause an increase length to be fed to the motor length control.

The operation of the automatic size adjustment can be illustrated in the following table. The first column of the table is headed Light Source Uninterrupted; the second column is headed Light Source Interrupted, and the third column is headed Function. The conditions depicted in the table are set up as of the time when the leading edge of the blank 12 interrupts the light source of the photoelectric system 201C and sends a pulse signal on the Both Off and gate and to the Both On and gate. The first two columns of the table show the conditions of the photoelectric systems 201A and 201B which Light Source Uninter- Light Source Function rupted Interrupted 201A, 201B Increase length.

201A, 201B Decrease length. 201A 201B No change.

While we have described our invention in its preferred forms, there are other forms which it may take without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, we have disclosed a timing circuit comprising transistors. A similar circuit can be made comprising electron tubes, and in fact a circuit or timing means can be devised in an entirely different form. In addition, we have described our invention in its particular adaptation as a control means for a machine made in accordance with United States Patent No. 2,059,412 or British Patent No. 412,127. Our invention can be used with any type of machine that has a jog or an inch button and Where a particular on time is desired for a predetermined interval of time. Our invention can pe adapted for use as a registration control means for rotary multiple printing presses by making a registration change adjustment in small intervals.

We therefore desire to be protected for all forms of our invention coming within the scope of the claims hereinbelow appended.

Wherefore we claim:

1. A material cut-off system comprising:

cutting means for cutting controlled and substantially uniform lengths of material from a moving strip of said material;

adjusting means for adjusting the lengths of material cut off by operation of said cutting means;

timing means for causing operation of said adjusting means for preset uniform intervals of time corresponding, due to the characteristics of operation of said adjusting means, to uniform changes in length of cut material; and

initiating means for initiating operation of said adjusting means for causing uniform adjustments in length for each operation of said initiating means.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein said adjusting means has a characteristic of operation whereby the length of the adjustments in length for a given time period of operation of said adjusting means varies with different lengths of cut material; and

wherein said timing means includes means for providing a plurality of selectable timing ranges whereby said preset interval of time can be changed for different lengths of cut material to provide substantially uniform length adjustments regardless of the selected length of cut material.

3. The invention as defined in claim 2, in which said timing means is an electronic timing means comprising a resistance-capacitor timing circuit and said plurality of timing ranges is provided by a plurality of different resistances selectably introducable into said circuit.

4. A material cut-oft system with automatic length adjustment comprising: 1

cutting means for cutting controlled and substantially uniform lengths of material from a moving strip of said material;

adjusting means for adjusting the length of material cut off by operation of said cutting means;

timing means for causing operation of said adjusting means for preset uniform intervals of time corresponding, due to the characteristics of operation of said adjusting means, to uniform changes of length of cut material;

iniatiating means for initiating operation of said ad- 1 1 justing means for causing uniform changes of length for each operation of said initiating means; and measuring means for measuring the length of material after it has been cut off to classify the length measured, for operating said initiating means to cause a decrease in length if the measured length of cut material is over the desired size, and for operating said initiating means to cause an increase in length if the measured length of cut material is under the desired size.

5. The invention as defined in claim 4, in which said measuring means comprises two photoelectric devices placed to be covered and uncovered by a traveling piece of cut material and spaced apart in the direction of travel of said cut material, which devices, for a given position of a cut piece of material, indicate that the length of cut References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,913,153 6/l933 Salard 83-73 3,071,999 1/1963 Thorn 83-311 X 3,159,066 12/1964 McDaniels 833l1 X WlLLIAM W. DYER, JR., Primary Examiner,

JAMES M. MEISTER, Examiner. 

1. A MATERIAL CUT-OFF SYSTEM COMPRISING: CUTTING MEANS FOR CUTTING CONTROLLED AND SUBSTANTIALLY UNIFORM LENGTHS OF MATERIAL FROM A MOVING STIP OF SAID MATERIAL; ADJUSTING MEANS FOR ADJUSTING THE LENGTHS OF MATERIAL CUT OFF BY OPERATION OF SAID CUTTING MEANS; TIMING MEANS FOR CAUSING OPERATION OF SAID ADJUSTING MEANS FOR PRESET UNIFORM INTERVALS OF TIME CORRESPONDING, DUE TO THE CHARACTERISTICS OF OPERATION OF 